Ignition system



A Mgy 27, 1924. @495,779

H. R. DAvlEs IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Aug.vfs. 1917` v3 sheets-sneer l @5% MX/@2mm @Hof/M211 May 27, 1924.

H. R. DAvlEs IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Aug. E5. 1.917 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'He/:ry E'. Day/es May 27, i924. 1,495,779 I H. R. DAVIES IGNITION SYSTEM Patented May 27, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY E. DAvIEs, oIE ToLEno, oHIo, AssIGNoE, EY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, To THE ELECTRIC AUTO-LITE coMPANY, or TOLEDO, omo, A coEPoRATIoN oF OHIO.

I declare the following to be a full, clear,

and exact description.

1G for automobiles and more particularly to tlie timing mechanism thereof.

It is desirable in internal combustion engines to provide means whereby the time at which the spark takes place may beyaried,

thereby permitting an advance of the spark with an increase of speed to obtain the maximum eiiiciency and conversely permitting a retarding of the spark at lower speeds where there is danger of premature explosion which may result in knocking and a loss of power if not a reverse rotation of the engine shaft. rilhe object of my invention is to provide automatic means for varying the time of sparking. A further object of my invention is to provide a timer in which the spari; wiil always be Juliy retarded at starting, and will be automaticaliy advanced proportionately to .the iruifrcase in engine spoed.

Further objects or this invention relate to H0 economies of manuiacture and details of construction willhereinafter appear from the detailed description to follow. I'accomplish the objects of my invention in certain instances b the devices and means described S5 in the Io lowing specitication,but it is evident that the same maybe varied widely without departing 'from the scope of thev invention, as pointed out in the appended claims. Structures constituting certain er bodiments of my invention, any oneof which may be the preferred, are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part ti'iereof, in which:

i Figure I. is a diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring of an ignition system embodying my invention, the automatic means for advancing the spark being illustrated diagrammatically.

Figure II is a top plan view ofthe timer with the cover removed.

Figure III is a detail, vertical, sectional view, talren substantially on the line III-III of Figure II.

Figure IV is a' section, similar to that IGNITION SYSTEM.

Application filed August 8, 1917. Serial No. 185,085.

shown in Figure III, showing the interrupter lever plate lifted to its uppermost position.

'Figure V is a detail, sectional view, taken substantially on the line V-V of Figure IV. Figure VI is a detail, perspective view of the block carried by the interruptor lever for Contactin with the actuating cam. This invention relates to ignition systems Figure II lis a sectional view corresponding to Fig. III, and showing a modified form of my invention.

'Fi ure VIII is\a sectional view similar to Fgigure VII showing another modified forni of my invention.

Figure IX is a vertical, sectional view, corresponding generally to Figurev III, but showing a modified form of my invention.

Figure X is a detail, sectional View, taken substantially on the line X-X of Figure IX.4

Figure XI is a fragmentary, detail, sectional view, taken substantially on the line XI-XI of Figure IX.

In the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Considering the numbered parts of the drawing, I have illustrated in Figure I the wiring of an ignition system, in which my invention is embodied. A direct' current generator G has the main brushes 11 and 12. The main circuit connection 13 is connected to the brush 11 through a series field winding 14, and a connecting wire 15. The other main circuit connection 18 is directly connected to the brush 12, and the lamp load 17 is connected to the circuit connections 13 and 18 in parallel in the well known manner, a switch 16 being provided, by4 means ot' which` the lamp load circuit may be broken.

` Brush 19 is in operative contact with the commutator of the generator larmature and is connected by a wire 20 to the shunt field 21', tlie'other terminal of said field being directly connected to the main brush 11 through the. wire 15. Between the main brushes 11 and 12 and in parallel with the lamp circuit, a storage battery 27 is connected,lsaid .storage battery being connected to the brush 11 through the wires 15, 22 and B-provided with the switches 25 and 26, the' other terminal of said battery being conswitch 26, Iconnect the primary ignition circuit, which includes the connectingwire v29, the primary coil 30, connection 31, inter.-

rupter arm 32, operated by lt-he rotating cam 33, interrupter contacts 34, and wire 35. The vcondenser 37 is connect-ed with the wire 31 and the wirer35by means ofthe wires 36 and 38., The secondary circuit includes the ound 39, the secondary coil 40, wire 41, istributor arm 42, and the spark plug terminals 43,.which are vconnected with the spark plugs, and through the sparkplugsto e ground, in the usual -mannexz Within the casing which housesq the interrupter and the distributor mechanism, and which is designated generally by the numeral 44,'I provide means for .varying the sparking time, said means being diagrammatically illustrated in Figure I and comi ,-'p'rising lever 45, which is adapted, when moved, to vary the time of sparking, one end of said lever arm being connected to a core 47 which is disposed within a solenoid 48. The solenoid 48'isvelectrically connected with the brushes.19 and 12, through the wires `49 and 49. The spark varying means 'is restored to its normal position'by-means of theV spring 46. It will 'be understood that this drawing is merely diagrammatic and is intended to indicate any means by which the variation in current strength in thefcircuit,

Jformed by the wires 49 `and 49- and solenoid 48, between the-brushes 1 9 and12, will act'to -A vary the time at which the spark occurs,

- which means I refer to advancing mechanism.

generally 'as spark Figures II to V, inclusive, illustrate 'one form which my invention; may take. The casing 44 for the timer is made up of the cup4 shaped casings, 50 and 51,-wl1ich arel disposed end to end, as shown in Figures III a-nd IV, a ring A52 being provided` which rests on the upper edge of the casing 51 and carries the cover 53 det-achably secured to the top .of the casing 51. Cover 53 carries the central contact for the distrib utor arm 42 and the spark plug terminals 4 3.I The lower cup-shaped casing 50 is prol vided with a central boss-54, having alicentral opening therein, in which the rotating Vshatt 55 is journaled.4 The upper casing 51 is disposed so that lthe edge of its base rests upon the upper edge of the casing 50 and is provided with a central opening there' through in line with the central opening in the boss 54, so that theshaft 55, extends upwardly through the central opening in the base of the cup-'shaped portion 51. The sleeve 56 is provided with a collar 57, at

the lower-end thereof, which' rests on the4 50. A sleeve 58 is rotatably mounted upon aes .the sleeve 56, the loweredge of said sleeve abutting the upper edgeof the colla-r 57, and the upper edge ot' saidsleeve 58, which is inclined to a plane perpendicular to the shaft, lying so that the upper edge of said sleeve 58 forms an inclined plane. An interrupter plate, 61 is provided, havinga sleeve v59 extending downwardly, through the cen- -bracket iixed to the plate 6.1'in the usual ina-nner. A spring 62 is provided .which abuts at one end against the post 63, carried by the interrupter plate 61, and normally tends to throw Said. interrupter leverso as tol hold said contacts in 'engagement with each other. The rotating cam 33 is attached to the upper end ofthe rotating shaft `55a'nd is provided with a plurality of ridges 66,7

which extend at an angle lto the axis `ot the shaft, as clearly shown in Figure III,A

all of said ridges -being parallel to each other. A block 64, of fibre or othersuitable insulating material, is carried .by the interrupter lever and is provided with a projecting portion 65,'disposed at an angle to the sides of the block, a-slshown in Figure VI,

so that, when said block 64 is held in place in the interruptor lever, the

rojecting part 65 extends parallel to the irection of the ridges 6,6. A distributor head 42 is fixed on 1 the upper end of the shaft 55, or rather, on the upper end of the cam 33.

loo

In the lower casing Olthere is provided.-

vscrews 69. These vanes 7() lie in a plane which is so inclined to the shaft 55 and to' the solenoid 48, that, when the varies are in their normal position. the end of one ot them 1 will be near one ,edge of the solenoid while the end of the opposite vane will be near the opposite edge of the solenoid, as is clearly shown in Figure III. The shaft and sleeve are preferablyv made of aluminum. or some other non-magnetic material, while these' vanes are preferably made of soft iron and The 'solenoid constitute the armature for the solenoid` that the same will offer the path ot highest magnetic conductivity within the areaof the solenoid. The solenoid is connected in cicrui-t with the brushes 12 and 19, through the binding posts 71. v

In Figure VII, I have shown a modification of my'inventiom'in whichthe sleeve 73 is fixed relative to the casing 50 and provided with an inclined groove 74. The interrupter plate 61 is'provided with 'a de.

pending sleeve 75, provided with the projection 7 5, which is disposed in the groove 74. The vanes 7 0 are secured to the lower end of the sleeve 7 5 by the screws-69 in the same manner that they are secured to sleeve 58 in the form of my device shown in Figures II to V, and are disposed relative to the solenoid 48 in the same manner, so that they act as an armature for the lsolenoids for the armatureand so that .the field of force generated in the solenoid by the current passing between the brushes 19 and l'12 will act' upon said vanes to cause the sleeve 75 tol rotate with the bresult that the interrupter plate 61 is lifted. In this form the ridges 66 on the cam 33 are parallel to the aXis of the shaft. y

In Figure VIII, I have shown another modification of my device which is the same as that shown in igure VII, except that a spring" 76 is provided, which is attached at one end to the bracket 68 for supporting the solenoid, and` at the other end to the sleeve 75 by means of the screw 69, so that said spring tends to assist gravity to restore the parts to th ir ,normal position andI the Asolenoid act lagainst the tension 4of said spring in rotating the sleeve to lift the interrupter plate.

In Figures IX, X and XI, I have shown another modification of my device. In this form, the interrupter plate 61 is provided with the depending sleeveI 59. provided with the arm 78 projecting laterally therefrom, and having a head 79, which' is wedgeshaped, and which is, disposed between theI poles 83 and 82 of the solenoid 48, said poles having the opposite inclined faces 84. as is clearly shown in .Figure XI. The solenoid 48 is connected in the circuit with the brushes 12 and 19 by the binding` post 81. It will be seen that as the solenoid 48 is energized, pole pieces 82 and 83 will be mag- 'netized and the head 79 will be drawn into engagement with the inclined faces 84 of the pole pieces. such action tending to rotate the sleeve 59,- the lower edge of which engages the upper edge of the lower sleeve` which is inclined and acts as an inclined plane. so that the rotation of said sleeve will lift the interrupter plate 61.

From the description of the parts given above, the operation of this system should .he very readily understood.

its terminals connected to two brushes of the machine, in this case 12 and 19. between which the voltage increases with the speed 0f rotation ot the armature. It will be evi-` dent from a consideration of the well known theory of third brush regulation, that the The circuit.v which includes the operating solenoid 48, has

generator.. in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure I, there will be a distortion of the field, which varies with the speed, this distortion being duc to the cross flux of the armature, which will tend to shit! the field toward that side ofthe field pole from which the armature rotates. n This will cause an increase in the vltage `drop between the brushes 12 and 19, and a decrease between brushes 11 and 19, while the main brush voltage or the voltage between the brushes 11 and 12 will remain constant. y

Inasmuch as these brushes 11 and 19 form terminals 'l'orthe shunt field, it is'evident that. as the speed increases, the current passing through the shunt field decreases,

and, in consequence, the current output of I the machine is held within definite limits for wide speed variations. The current de. veloped by the E. M. F. between brushes 12 and 19 will pass through the solenoid 48 and y when a sufficient magnetic flux is present,

the cam action of the adjoining edges of the sleeves 58 and 59, to the position shown in Figure IV of the drawing. The rotating cam 32 is provided with projecting ridges, which extend angularly in relation to the shaft, and, since the interrupter plate which carries the interrupter lever and the contact co-opei'ating therewith` moves axially only. it will be evident that,I as the interrupter plate is raised, causing the libre block on the. interrupter lever to contact with the cam at a point higher up on the cam. the spark will bc advanced since .the make and break in the circuit, due to the engagement and actuation of the interrupter lever by the ridges on the cam will come earlier. It isevident, thcreforelhat as the engine speed increases and the amper-age in the actuating solenoid becomes higher` the greaterwill be the variation in the sparking time, as the spark will be advanced more and more as the flux in the solenoid becomes greater. due to the increase in current strength. The direction of rotation of the shaft is such that the spark is advanced as the speed is increased. The weight of the parts returns them to normal` position so that the spark is retarded when` the speed decreases again.

Inasmuch as the torce ot magnetic attraction varies inversely as the square of the distance, the force of attraction, which the solenoid 48 exerts upon the vanes carried speeds, thus cutting down the ignition curent and `my arrangement compensates for this factor.

In the constructionl shown in Figure VII,

' there is Ashown a different method of actiiating lthe sleevejon the lower end of the interrupter plate, in which the lifting landl turning movement of the interrupter plate is caused by the engagement of the tongue T in the groove'74. The form shown in Figure VIII is identical with that shown in Figure VII, except that a spring 76 is provided for restoring the parts to normal position, whereas in the other forms, I rely upon the weight of the parts to return them to the norma or lower position.

4I n the forms shown in Figure IX X and XI, I have devised a slightly diderent method of'operation in which the sleeve is rotated by the arm 7 8 having a head 79 lat the end thereof, which is drawn into engagement with the field poles 82 'and 83 of the solenoid 48 when the solenoidI is energized, ldue to the passing. of the current therethrough. In this embodiment of my invention, the electromagiiet has the sole-y noid 48, the terminals 8l and the poles 82 and 83, and the latter 'are so formed that a fwedge-'shaped recess having faces 84 fis the force of the motion.

formed, possessing. an angularity greater than that of thewedge-shaped head 79 on the end ofthe arm 78. This wedge is normally` partially i advanced into the recess, and will be forced inwardly so as to include aigreater flow of magentism and thereby op'- erate to advance the spark. By increasing the. angularity of the wedge over that of the recess, Ithe acceleration of force tending to swing the arm inwardly will be somewhat diminished without decreasing materially I am aware that .the particular embodiment of my invention, which I have here shown and described, is -susceptible of con'- siderable variation without departing from the spirit of my invention. I have found,

however, that this particular embodiment is desirable from many. standpoints, and, therefore, I desire to ,claim the same specifically; as ,well as broadly as indicated by the ap ended claims.

aving'thus described my invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

l. In a system ofthe class described, the combination of a speed generator having a iield winding and adapted to be driven by a .variable speed internal combustion engine,

vspark advar.:l z

tween the generator -and the connecting ends of said field and mechanism.

2. In a system of the .class-described, the combination of a generatoradapted'to be drivenV bya variable speed internal combustion engine, afload circuitconnected there-l v to, an .ignition timer for said engine, an electro-magnet for advancing thetime of operation of said timer, said generator having a pair of brushes across which the potential increases with an increase in speed, and

`circuit connections between said .pair of brushes and said electro-magnet.

3. In a `system. of the class described, the

combination of a'geiierator adapted to bex driven by'an internal-combustion engine, an

adjustable ignition timer for vsaid engine, means normally holding said timer in a position of retarded spark,y an lelectro magnet for advancing the time of said ,spark and circuit connections between said generator and said electro-magnetl whereby as the potential of said generator increases with an increase in speed the time of operation of said interrupter is automatically advanced.

4. In a system of'the classdescribedfthe combination of a generator adapted to be driven by a variable speed internal combustion engine and having a pair of main brushes, a third-brush and a shunt field winding connected between said third brush and one of said main brushes, a storage battery connected to be charged by said generator, a load circuit connectedwto be supplied by said generator or by said battery,

an adjustable ignition timer and distributor for said engine, electro-magnetic means for adjusting said timer and'distributor to advance the ignition spark in said engine and circuit connections from said electro-magneticmeans to said third brush andisaidoth` er main brush.

5. In a system of the class described in ombination. a generator having two vmain ushes between which the voltageiemains substantially constant; and a third brush displaced from said main brushes; and an electro-magnetic spark advancing device connected to said third brush and one of said main brushes, between which brushes the -voltage increases approximately` as the speed.

aiiism comprising the combination of a generator; main brushes associated with said generator; a third brush, between which and saidv main brushes the Voltage Avaries with generator speed of revolution; ignition timeiio I iis' 6. An automatic spark controlling mechrotatable core; and vanes associated with the core, said core being adapted, on the variation of energy7 `in the solenoid, to actuate the- 'spark timing mechanism.

48. An automatic spark timing mechanism -comprising the combination of a generator;

having means for regulating the current output as the speed varies, including a current regulating field Winding, said generator being provided with three brushes, between tivo of which brushes the voltage decreases Witli the speed and the shunt field is connected, and between the third brush and one of said two brushes, the voltage increases With the speed; a circuit connecting said last two brushes; and spark control mechanism operatively connected in` said y circuit.

9. In a battery charging and ignition System, the combination of a generator, having two main brushes and a third brush; current regulating means connected with the third brush and one of said main brushes; an ignition system connected with said main brushes; and means, comprising a solenoid and movable core, connected to said third brush and the other main brush and. adapted When the solenoid is energized to advance the time of ignition in accordance with the increase in engine speed.

10. In a battery charging' and ignition system., the combination of a generator,

having a pair of main brushes and a third brush; an ignition circuit comprising a primary circuit connected across said main brushes; ignition timing mechanism; a circuit connected from said third brush to one of said main brushes; and an. automatic spark advancing mechanism controlled by the current in said circuit.

11. In a battery charging and ignition system, the combination of a generator; a

pair of main brushes; a third brush; an igincreases as the speed of the generator increases;A and spark advancing means connected in said circuit and actuated thereby.

l2. In a battery charging and ignition system, the combination of a generator; a pair of main brushes: a third brush; an ignition circuit connected across said -main brushes and comprising distributing and timing mechanism; a circuit connected from said third brush to one of said maiii brushes; a solenoid connected in said circuit; and spark advancing mechanism actuated by said solenoid.

13, In a battery charging and ignition system, the combination of a generator; a pair of main brushes; a third brush; an ignition circuit connected across saidv main brushes, and comprising distributing and timing mechanism a circuit connected from -one of said main brushes to said third brush, said circuit being so connected that the Voltage between the terminals thereof i11- creases as-the generator speed increases; a solenoid connected in said circuit; and spark advancing mechanism actuated by said solenoid. A

14. In a battery charging and ignition system, the combination of a generator; a

HENRY n. navms. 

